Hidden threat: How to keep track of moles and whether to remove them
There are various myths and fears associated with moles and age spots. Some say that it is better not to touch them, others say that they should be removed and as soon as possible. At the same time, a typical resident of central Russia has more than a dozen moles and there is no clear understanding of how to monitor them and what risks they pose. We talked with oncologist Dmitry Kravchenko and found out what to pay attention to, how to suspect melanoma, and when and how to get rid of moles.
What is the problem with moles?
The problem is that sometimes moles, or, in a scientific way, pigmented nevi, turn into melanoma. Melanoma is a very dangerous tumor that spreads quickly and leads to death in a short (several months) period. More recently, new drugs have appeared that are effective for melanoma; however, they help only some patients, but it is too early to talk about full recovery: even if all the signs of the disease have disappeared and the person remains healthy for several years, it is not known whether a relapse will occur. In any case, this is an extremely dangerous disease, which, nevertheless, can be prevented or detected at a very early stage, when the treatment has a good prognosis.
It is believed that everyone has a risk of melanoma, although it is elevated in fair-skinned people with a large number of nevi (moles). The genetic factor also plays a role, so you need to be especially careful if a relative has a melanoma. The most important risk factor is exposure to sunlight, primarily sunburn. It is believed that the risk of melanoma is particularly increased if a person had sunburn in childhood. It turns out that the main prevention - is protection from the sun's rays in all its manifestations: you need to use effective sunscreens, be in the shade whenever possible, do not use a tanning bed and avoid sunburn. And the state of moles need to be monitored regularly.
How to inspect moles and what to look for?
English-speaking authors often come up with abbreviations that are easy to remember - and in the case of moles, these are ABCDE: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution, that is, asymmetry, contour, color, diameter and variations. What does it mean? Any mole of an asymmetric shape should be suspicious, like any mole with an uneven or fuzzy contour or a non-uniform color. Special attention should be paid to moles more than 5 millimeters and to any changes in them: shape, color, size, the appearance of itching or other unpleasant symptoms.
These signs do not depend on each other, and often with early melanoma with the naked eye, only one of them is visible. Therefore, it is very important not to wait for multiple changes, but to go to the doctor as soon as you notice any of these five signs, such as a blurred outline or asymmetry. It is better to inspect not only moles, but the entire surface of the skin, especially if you have sunbathed recently; other types of skin cancer, the so-called non-melanoma, do not develop from pigment cells, but are also associated with exposure to sunlight. Therefore, when new strange or unusual elements appear, it is better to consult a doctor.
Where and how can I get a diagnosis?
Of course, it makes sense to regularly examine moles on your own and consult a doctor if you suspect any changes. This may be a dermatologist or oncologist, or a general practitioner who will refer you to the right specialist. Days of early diagnosis of melanoma are regularly held in different countries and cities, where you can be examined for free. In Russia, many clinics in 100 cities are taking part in this action, and the next such day will take place on May 22. Of course, if you are really worried about one of the moles, it is better not to wait for any action, but to consult a doctor immediately.
Traditionally, it is believed that those with at least fifty on their whole body should pay special attention to moles. But in 2016, in one of the studies, it turned out that many patients with melanoma had much less moles, so one cannot rely solely on their number. The risk of a large number of nevi is rather that they are difficult to inspect on their own, remembering and recording all the changes. If you want to systematically monitor the status of all moles on the body, you can use the FotoFinder system, which is in some clinics. During the examination, the doctor will photograph all areas of the body, highlight those moles that seem suspicious on the screen, and then take microscopic photographs of each of them. All images are saved in the database, and on the next visit (in six months or a year) you can see any changes, if any.
What if the doctor suspects something bad?
If an unfavorable process is suspected, the doctor will recommend removing the mole and making sure it is a histological examination, that is, to study the structure of the cells under a microscope. Although beauty salons often offer laser mole removal services, this is a very dangerous procedure; under the influence of a laser, the tissue of the mole seems to evaporate, that is, it completely disappears, and as a result, the material for microscopy is lost. For the same reason, you can not try to "remove" moles with strong chemical agents sold in pharmacies. Unfortunately, every year thousands of people die from melanoma because they did not diagnose it in time. It happens that the mole was removed with a laser, its malignancy was not revealed, and soon metastases are found in the patient - and it is impossible to save him.
Therefore, it is better not to risk and remove moles, if it is recommended, surgically. This procedure is not more difficult and much faster than applying a seal: local anesthesia, careful removal with a scalpel, dressing. Then the place of the mini-operation can be a little painful, but on the whole it is no worse, for example, taking blood for a general analysis. Anyway, any side effects of removing a mole or inconvenience associated with frequent application of sunscreen can not be compared with the risk of melanoma; we are at our best to protect ourselves as much as possible.
Photo: michaelheim - stock.adobe.com (1, 2)
